Arabian Gulf League: Al Ahli and Cosmin Olaroiu know they ‘have to fight’ to retain their title

Al Ahli manager Cosmin Olaroiu. Satish Kumar / The National

DUBAI // Cosmin Olaroiu has challenged his Al Ahli players to win every remaining Arabian Gulf League match this season, if they are to stand any chance of retaining the title.

The UAE champions are second in the table after Saturday’s 2-1 victory against leaders Al Jazira, which closed the gap at the top to six points with six rounds to play.

Ahli can increase the pressure with a win in Wednesday’s trip to Al Dhafra, with Jazira hosting third-placed Al Ain – last season’s runners-up – later in the evening. Predictably, though, Olaroiu is concentrating simply on the task at hand.

“All the games are the same to us,” he said. “For us, there is no small or big team. Our goal is to win every match we play. Together with Al Ain and Al Wasl, we all have a slim chance of winning the title, but we have to fight. Our victory against Al Jazira was vital as it showed that our players are the best.

“To keep the title, we should put in a strong performance against Al Dhafra. We hope that the players are sufficiently motivated as it will definitely not be an easy game. Dhafra are a tough team that has achieved good results at home, and these factors should be taken into account.”

Dhafra are seventh in the standings and have already taken points off Ahli this season, coming from 3-1 down at the Rashid Stadium in November to draw 3-3. Then, Makhete Diop scored a hat-trick for the Western Region club – a performance that helped him seal a move to Ahli in the winter transfer window.

The Senegalese striker will be making his first appearance against Dhafra since the switch, but it is unclear if Ahmed Khalil will partner him in attack. The UAE forward has missed Ahli’s past two matches – one in the Asian Champions League – and remains a doubt, as does key midfielder Majed Hassan. It continues the team’s rotten injury record this campaign.

“We are looking for 10 players for the match,” Olaroiu said. “We have gotten used to encountering all sorts of problems throughout the season, but the players have overcome the obstacles and have given a good performance. Now we have to find the required energies and overcome the obstacles.”

Meanwhile, Olaroiu commented on reports linking Khalil with a transfer to Jazira. The 2015 Asian player of the year, 25, is out of contract this summer and, as such, is free to talk to other clubs. Jazira are one of a number of suitors interested.

“He is an exceptional player with great potential and it is only normal that he would receive offers,” Olaroiu said. “What I know is that Ahmed wants to stay with Al Ahli and Al Ahli should want this as well.”

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